AVONDALE — Thanks to a four-foot birdie on the 18th hole, Bubba Watson has the overnight lead at the Zurich Classic for the third day in a row – but this time, he has company.
 
Webb Simpson birdied five holes in a row on the front nine to move from 7-under to 12-under and grab a share of the lead.
 
This marks the first time in Simpson’s career that he’s gone to sleep with at least a share of the lead heading into the final day.
 
However, Watson discredited the notion that his experience gives him any significant advantage over his final round playing partner.
 
“I’m just as nervous as he is,” Watson said. “I might have half a percentage better chance than he does.
 
Simpson said he still thinks players who are four and five shots back have a shot to win. The stats back him up, considering eight players shot 5-under-par or better in the worst scoring conditions of the tournament so far.
 
There are 20 players within five shots of the lead, setting expectations high for a wild Sunday.
 
Included in that group is local favorite and LSU alum David Toms, who posted a 5-under 67 today to climb into a tie for 11th. He began the weekend in a tie for 27th place and currently sits at 8-under, four shots off the lead.
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Contact Ryan Ginn at [email protected]